First Responders have a unique and difficult challenge as they attempt to prevent, respond to and defend against international terrorist attacks in their cities, counties and states. The ability of first responders to accomplish these tasks can save countless lives, protect property and bring to justice terrorists who try to harm Americans. The risks associated with trying to counter or prevent international terrorist attack are many and diverse. There are physical and psychological effects that first responders will face when responding to an international terrorist attack. They include secondary or tertiary attacks, exposure to nuclear, chemical or biological agents, and the psychological toll. There are two main risks when attempting to counter terrorist attacks; first is a lack of intelligence in helping to identify future attacks, events or terrorist personalities, the second risk is damaging community relations (especially with minority and immigrant …show more content…
groups). The first risk when attempting to counter a terrorist attacks is a lack of critical intelligence helping to identify and prevent future terrorist attacks. Unless future attacks and attackers are identified, and stopped the risks to the community and nation are enormous. 9/11 was an example of lack of intelligence sharing between the intelligence community, law enforcement and other government agencies. The lack of intelligence sharing produced a breakdown that terrorists were able to exploit, and kill almost 3,000 people. General Hayden former NSA director stated, “We did not disseminate information we received in early 1999 that was unexceptional in its content except that it associated the name of Nawaf al-Hamzi with Al Qa’ida [a clue that could have identified three 9/11 hijackers]” (Domestic Intelligence Gap p. 8). The shortfalls in intelligence sharing by different agencies assisted the terrorists in escaping detection and eventually being successful in their attack. The risk of not sharing intelligence to first responders will result not only in civilian casualties, but also in first responders being injured and killed. The second risk first responders face in countering terrorist attacks are among immigrant and refugee communities. First responders can damage already tense relationships when attempting to counter or prevent international terrorist attacks. The brief Policing Terrorism states, “treating immigrants differently in casual encounters can jeopardize relations with a group that could otherwise provide your officers with valuable information about truly suspect activity” (Brief 6). These already marginalized populations can withdraw and become even more marginalized if they feel they are being targeted by law enforcement. The problem is that terrorists will hide among people they feel comfortable around and can blend in with. The risk of alienating these segments of society is great and can deter and hinder investigations if they are unreceptive to law enforcement. After an initial terrorist attack there is the real threat of secondary or tertiary attacks to inflict further damage and produce more casualties. This has become the norm in terrorist attacks, it is estimated that secondary devices were used or present in 50% of all terrorist attacks. (Best practices, Secondary attacks p. 2) Secondary attacks or secondary devices are especially dangerous to first responders arriving at the initial incident. Secondary attacks using secondary devices have become more common for example; in the 2002 Bali bombing a bomb went off in a nightclub which caused people to flee into the streets, where a large truck bomb detonated killing more people. Also in the Madrid Spain train bombings two unexploded secondary devices were found after 10 bombs exploded. (Lessons Learned: Site Security p.2) These examples show the probability and risk that first responders assume when responding to the initial terrorist attack. The risk to first responders is great that there will be another attack or a secondary explosive device near the scene of an initial attack. First responders will rush to the terrorist attack, usually not knowing exactly what they are responding to. In Thailand on March of 2012, suspected Islamic terrorists detonated a car bomb in a shopping area. Approximately 20 minutes after the first explosion another car bomb exploded. The second car bomb killed 11 people and wounded over 110. (Associated Press Suspected Muslim insurgents 2012) This type of strategy will continue to be used by terrorists because it has been successful in causing more causalities, property damage and fear. The risk of being killed or injured after the initial attack is great and will remain so as long secondary attacks and secondary devices continues to be successfully used in attacks. While the possibility exists that a terrorist organization will steal or buy a nuclear device, it is more likely that they will use a dirty bomb from stolen or purchased radioactive material.
This will expose first responders to harmful radiological material. Also concerning is the risk of terrorists obtaining and using chemical or biological agents. The risk of exposure to these types of materials is great for first responders. A firefighter on the 9/11 commission panel stated, “With the proliferation of “white-powder” and other threats posed by terrorists, front-line emergency responders are facing a much wider range of potential hazards for which they are ill-equipped.”(Protecting First Responders p. 33) The Salt Lake City Police Department gives its officers protective masks for certain gases and biological agents. No personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided for radiological attacks. This places these police officers in great danger if a “dirty bomb” is ever exploded in Salt Lake
City. How many departments have protective equipment for first responders? Most agencies do not have access to the type of protective equipment needed for certain types of attacks. During the anthrax attacks a huge problem that many agencies faced was a lack of personal protective equipment dealing with the anthrax attacks. (Protecting First Responders p.32) This is one example of what agencies and first responders face not having the right PPE. It is not probable for agencies to be able 100 percent prepared for every type of possible attack. Agencies must plan and prepare for different events and be flexible when responding to attacks. It is the same when attempting to counter attacks, planning and preparation will enable to the agencies to counter and prevent attack. Another major risk for first responders is the physical and environmental damage caused by a terrorist attack. Fire, building structure integrity, falling debris from weakened buildings, smoke and dust are a few of the factors that threaten first responders (Protecting First Responders p. 14, 15). During 9/11 heroic policeman and firefighters ran into the towers not thinking of their own safety. The towers fell with hundreds of these brave men and women inside of them. If radiological material is ever used first responders run the risk of being exposed to radiation, it will also irreparably damage the environment. When responding to a terrorist event first responders see, hear and do things that will affect them psychologically for the rest of their lives. In the event of a terrorist attack first responders see dead, injured and dying people. First responders may be attacked by terrorists or forced to kill them. These type of traumatic events create lasting psychological harm. First responders need to take some simple steps to mitigate some of the risks that they have when responding to terrorist attacks. First responders need to plan their response are to save lives, protect property and the environment, stabilize the incident, and provide for basic human needs (National Framework Response p. 5) Planning for these critical incidents can provide a framework to be able to help control a chaotic and unstable environment. Also first responders need to identify threats and hazards that their particular community faces. (Identify threats and hazards p.5) These simple steps will help a community be better prepared and help reduce the risk that first responders face when responding to an international terrorist attack. First responders face a variety of risks when countering or responding to international terrorist attacks. First a lack of intelligence about the possibility of a terrorist attack or not having intelligence to stop an attack before it happens puts everyone at risk. The community and first responders suffer when intelligence is not shared in a timely and efficient manner. Damaging relations with immigrant and refugee populations can occur if first responders deal with them before, during or after a terrorist attack. These relationships may already be strained and a terrorist attack can further divide the community. Secondary attacks using additional devices are estimated to happen with fifty percent of all terrorist attacks. This makes it difficult and dangerous to respond to a terrorist scene due to the fact there might be more explosive devices or terrorists. First responders do not always have the proper personal protective equipment to guard against radiological, chemical or biological agents. Exposure to these agents can result in permanent disability or death. First responders also have to deal with physical and environmental concerns such as falling structures, environmental contamination, heat, dust and smoke. All of these factors take a toll on the emotional and psychological well-being of first responders. With some planning and preparation communities can reduce and mitigate some risks associated with an international terrorist attack. But because of all the different factors and variables first responders will always face risks when countering or responding to an attack.
As I could be tiling a floor with a possible electrician above who could possibly drop heavy objects by accident which could seriously damage my health, so to prevent this I wear a hard hat. RPE Respiratory protective equipment includes dust masks, face masks, and masks. Thousands of people working on site have died breathing in harmful fumes. Buying the correct LEV is critical for the job you are doing, as each Local Exhaust Ventilation has a different design and a different hood to prevent harmful fumes getting into your lungs.
...ontamination methods and permit training people in radiological safety and decon procedure. When the troops of operation crossroads returned to Pearl Harbor many of them became sick the doctors could not figure out why. Some of them died a slow death from the radiation that they were exposed to during the operation.
Cashman, J. (2000). Emergency Response to Chemical and Biological Agents. Boca Raton, FL. Lewis Publishers.
----------- International Public Management Association. “IPMA-HR Assessment Services” 2003. National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 1582- Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.
The National Response Framework is a guide designed to assist local, State, and Federal governments in developing functional capabilities and identifying resources based on hazard identification and risk assessment. It outlines the operating structure and identifies key roles and responsibilities. It established a framework to identify capabilities based on resources and the current situation no matter the size or scale. It integrates organizational structures and standardizes how the Nation at all levels plans to react to incidents. The suspected terrorist attack will have health, economic, social, environment and political long-term effects for my community. This is why it is essential that local government’s response is coordinate with all responders. Response doctrine is comprised of five key principles: (1) engaged partnership, (2) tiered response, (3) scalable, flexible, and adaptable operational capabilities, (4) unity of effort through unified command, and (5) readiness to act. An introductory word about each follows. (Homeland Security, 2008)
minds of many and all of America would be listening to his reaction to the
For the purpose of this literary review the above incidents show a history of reliability when it comes to the National Guard. They are willing to act on facets of both state and federal orders and are able to maintain an organized hierarchy when doing so. The National Guard will be ready to respond due to being “forward-deployed in thousands of communities across the United States” (CNGR 2008, 9). Once again the National Guard Bureau outlines this in ten points: aviation and airlift, command and control, CBRNE response, engineering, medical, communications, transportation, security, logistics, and maintenance (NGB 2008, 7). All of which are significant when it comes to emergency response.
Homeland security is an American measure to ensure the security of the country. It is the national effort to ensure safety, security, and strength against terrorism and other issues, The goals of homeland security is to which will minimise the vulnerability of the U.S. to terrorism, and reduce the number of damages to the country.
Firefighters are more than friends. You can't fight fires with friends. To fight fires you need a brotherhood. The men and women of the fire service across the globe consider each other family, this is one of the grand traditions of the fire department. Firefighters are constantly looking out for one another, thinking about the things they do and how it may affect the other’s lives and safety. Life safety is of the highest priority in the business of fire rescue. To achieve a safety standard there are many tasks that fire personnel are expected to carry out, for both a personal and a team related purpose. One of these tasks is the daily inspection of the fire apparatus upon arrival to the fire station. This task is with most certainty the most essential process that fire personnel are responsible for in order to get through the shift safely and efficiently.
Being the oldest daughter of a Senior ATF Agent, I have been exposed to domestic terrorism all of my life. My father has investigated thousands of bombings, fires, and explosions for more than twenty years now. Many of these incidents were examples of the terrorism that I speak about. His experiences have taught me countless lessons and informed me of many current events. The information that I have obtained from him is far more valuable than anything that the media could ever possibly convey. Though he is always strictly guarded with the confidences of his profession, he has always provided me with a firsthand knowledge of the impact that domestic terrorism has on the citizens and law enforcement. Through him, I learn the facts of these incidents without the media’s exaggerations. Today I will share with you some of these facts. I will talk to you about the impact that domestic terrorism has on our citizens. These impacts include: the monetary damages that terrorism inflicts, along with the injuries to the victims, the shocking repercussions that are embedded into the minds and souls of the people who come to sort through the rubble to find the survivors and the remaining evidence.
This is a common perception, but unless first responders are not human, in which they are, there are experiences that will trouble them and they are not invincible. It is essential for emergency personnel and first responders to step back from the image of being superman or superwoman and realize that they are human just like everyone else (Willis, 2014). Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and all other emergency medical technicians are just as vulnerable and just as susceptible, if not more so, to pain, suffering, and emotional trauma (Willis, 2014). No one is capable of doing any first responder job without it potentially changing them and making a significant impact on their emotional wellness and
Every year communities struggle each year around the nation with issues of life safety. In 2012, the nation’s fire departments responded to 31,854,000 responses that resulted in the deaths 0f 2,855 civilians and injuring 16,500 causing an estimated $12,427 million dollars in damage. (United States Fire Administration, 2014) These incidents put at risk 345,950 career and 783,300 volunteer firefighters that resulted in the deaths of 81 individuals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013) and nearly 70,000 reported injuries. ( Karter & Molis, 2013) These numbers represent incidents that are determined to be in the line of duty but do not take into consideration the long-term health risk issues that may develop. Evidence shows that he hazards associated with Fire and Emergency Services are consistent across the board whether paid or volunteer and jeopardize the lives and health of each individual, placing administrative and physical control measures reduces this risk to firefighter within an organization. While it is impossible to eliminate the hazards firefighters face, it is important to identify these hazards as the first step in reducing the potential for loss of life and wellbeing both physically and mentally.
...why does the technologist step behind a shield to prevent exposure to themself?" The radiation dose for each exam is relatively small, but over time, the dose can add up. There are many state and federal regulations limiting the total radiation dose that may be received by people working with radiation. To comply with those regulations, the technologist must follow strict precautions to keep their cumulative exposure to a minimum.
To start off, the bulletproof vest must be used for safety. They are commonly used by “the military, law enforcement officials,
Terrorism will happen again regardless of how prepared the U.S. thinks it may be. This means that it is the country’s job to ensure that there is a continuation of measures that should be taken to fight against terrorism. Others believe that the U.S. is fully prepared for another terrorist attack and that enough has been done. The question at hand is, should the U.S. still be concerned about terrorism. The United States needs to be concerned about terrorism to prevent tragedies like 9/11 from happening again, to address problems with domestic terrorism, and to improve homeland security.